Ok now I am frustrated with streaming


Help me out here please. I was really enjoying getting into streaming. Just purchased a Node 2i 2 weeks ago and have been enjoying it. Testing Tidal and Qobuz, leaning toward Qobuz. I was testing both wifi and ethernet connection. I seemed to pick up some noise and distortion on what I thought was the ethernet so I have been listening on wifi. I really enjoy finding new music on the streaming service. Tonight I was enjoying Sierra Hull because I listen to a lot of Alison Krauss. I was listening to Sierra Hull's new 25 Trips album and got to track 7 Escape and I heard a bunch of static/distortion, almost like a blown tube, except I have solid state equipment. I switched to Tidal to see if it was a problem with the Qobuz stream and same thing. Hooked up my MacBook pro to rule out a problem with the Node 2i, same thing. Now I am listening to Clapton's Unplugged and I hear the same thing. Is it my internet? I have a brand new modem, a Motorola MB7621, and a brand new Asus AC3100 router. I did a speed test and we are getting 237 mbps. My daughter was watching Netflix on a TV upstairs at the time, when she was finished I did a reboot of the cable modem and reboot of the Node 2i and then it was fine after that. I listened for about an hour after that. Is it my internet speed? Do I need to call Comcast/xfinity and up my speed package? Is it something else? Its getting frustrating and its not supposed to be like that, I am at the point where I may just send the Node back on the return policy and stick with CD's. 
128x128jmphotography
@ jmphotography

I too have Asus AC3100 (AWESOME router!) and NAD C388 w/BluOS2i MDC module (essentially same as Node 2i) connected by WiFi.

Whatever Ethernet cable (Cat 5e/6/7/8/etc.) proponents say about improved SQ is BS. WiFi with the specific units mentioned above works AWESOME! Notice I said SQ. I’ve never had bad SQ from the WiFi connection. However, I have had music stop playing due to poor WiFi connection - read more about Roaming Block List below.

The bandwidth you mentioned is way more than necessary. We have 100MB service, and simultaneously doing the following without any issues:
  • 2x kids playing Xbox1S’s MMO’s with VOIP service running on top (for headset banter)
  • Streaming Netflix Ultra (4k with HDR and surround) in the HT system on another Xbox1S.
  • Me streaming Amazon UltraHD with BluOS
Another member mentioned adjusting the router to prioritize audio...
Yes, this is possible. Once logged-in to the Asus AC3100, on the left side menu click "Adaptive QoS". There will be 3 tabs in the main screen, "Bandwidth Monitor", "QoS", "Web History" - click "QoS".
Enable QoS = Yes
QoS Type = Adaptive QoS
Bandwidth Setting = Automatic
Select = Media Streaming
Click Apply (router will do its thing, and setting will be in effect)
The above is quick & dirty way to do it. Way more trickery is possible with more advanced setting adjustments.

If you have a marginally weak WiFi signal, music stream may suddenly pause - then spontaneously restart. If you have a fully-weak WiFi signal, music may pause and not come back. Think of this as similar to having a partially or fully damaged Cat cable - results are expected. Notice there is never static or noise... music just stops (same as it would with damaged cable).

My wireless network consists of additional routers. As you may know, AC3100 is MESH-capable. I have the AC3100 as primary, with two Asus AC1900 routers in AiMesh mode to seamlessly (for mobile devices) cover more ground (4,000 sqft house on 1 acre). These routers also allow capability to specify devices stay on a particular router in the mesh network (for devices that aren’t mobile), which can be handy, since mesh will move devices around to load-balance. I have the BluOS2i (NAD MDC module) locked to the closest router (and only router not located in the basement). This feature is called "Roaming Block List" - find it in left-side menu Advanced Settings/Wireless/Roaming Block List.

Hope this helps - Good luck! If you need more help with router settings PM me - happy to help.
Sierra Hull. Thanks for a fine artist and very nice recording. Streaming of course. Requires about 2 Mb/s bandwith.
OK, thank you everyone for the help. We can end the discussion, it appears to be caps in my amp. It started happening this morning, I switched to CD and it continued. Frustrating, but now I know its not the streaming. 

@gosta you're welcome. Listen to her other albums, very talented mandolin player as well as an incredible voice. Found her because I listen to a lot of Alison Krauss
I stream through spectrum and don’t have your issue but do have issues. I have run multiple speed tests at different times of the day and get results anywhere from 32 to 225. It is not just me but our entire neighborhood. We have had them out here many times and the only answer is we have an issue but they do not know how to fix it. You have to look at how US companies operate. They use outdated systems outdated equipment tell us and market and advertise it as the latest and greatest so they can charge us a higher price than we should have to pay for a system that is 10 years behind the rest of the world. This is the same and worse for your cell phone. Just look at the benchmark speeds that are published for other countries. It is not your modem it is not your router it is the system we have and nothing we can do about it.

@sgreg1, if you and your neighbors are not getting the contracted speed from your ISP, it is time to take it to the NEXT LEVEL.

Please check to see who is responsible for your ISP’s legal contract in your city.   In my city, it was the City Attorney.  Several years ago. I had similar ISP related problems in our neighborhood.  I called the City Attorney’s Office and explained the situation.  He asked me to document the facts and send him the information.  I put together a very detailed package that documented our problems, what we did, the ISP’s lack response, etc.  I included additional comments from my other neighbors.  I was very factual and provided all the necessary supporting material.   

His department began an investigation to see what was going on.  It took time, he asked for more information and eventually, our ISP problem was FIXED.   As a result of the investigation, the City decided to contract for additional ISP’s to provide its citizens additional ISP service choices.   For me, the best news, was that I dropped the bad ISP and switched to another ISP Service.

Obviously, this is not a short-term fix.   It will require lots of work, patience and extra efforts to get it done.   I was very lucky since my City Attorney understood the problem and was extremely helpful in working to get it solved.  I had also contacted other City Officials,  explained the issues I was having with the ISP and what I was doing about. They also reported they had ISP issues and that really helped my case.  There is no question in my mind that they contacted the City Attorney and that helped put the pressure on.

I encourage you to take this next step.  It will take time and patience, but it is well worth it.  As noted, you should work with your City Attorney (or another department), and other City officials, to get this issue resolved.   I suggest you start gathering the facts, include detailed documentation including comments from your neighbors and present your case.  I hope this helps.